Access-New User-Help!!

[E. Barry Bruyea]

I have Microsoft Office XP 2002. When I first loaded Office, I
installed all of its components, but until recently never had a use
for Access. I was recently diagnosed with Diabetes and along with my
tester, I purchased specialty software for tracking my Diabetes. Some
of the Data files contained in this software are MS Access files and
the first time I tried to get at them, Access opened up and asked me
for a password. I've never used it, so I don't understand why. I
checked with the Diabetes software provider to see if it was something
in their software that would password protect their generated data
files and they've told me that there is nothing in their software that
would put in password protection in Access. Is there a way to beat
this? I'm long past a 'free' call to MS. I sure would appreciate
some help with this.

 

[Joan Wild]

Start, Search and search for all *.mdw files. Rename any that you find.

Now open Access. Next open the mdb file. Does this work?

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

Start, Search and search for all *.mdw files. Rename any that you find.

Now open Access. Next open the mdb file. Does this work?

The files in question have an .MDB suffix. Can these be renamed? If
so, to what?

 

[Keith Wilby]

The files in question have an .MDB suffix. Can these be renamed? If
so, to what?

The mdw file(s) that Joan referred to might be what's causing Access to
prompt for a password. By re-naming them all you'll force Access to create
a new ("clean") one on launch to use as its default. By default Access
would use "system.mdw" to start up (it will always need an mdw of some
description in order to be able to start up).

HTH - Keith.
www.keithwilby.com

 

[Joan Wild]

The files in question have an .MDB suffix. Can these be renamed? If
so, to what?

You don't want to rename the mdb files. Every session of Access uses a
workgroup file (.mdw extension). Even unsecured files use one - it normally
uses system.mdw and silently logs you in as a user called 'Admin'.

In your case you are joined by default to some mdw file that has a password
set for the Admin user - this is what causes the username/password dialog to
show up.

You need to rejoin a mdw that has no password set for 'Admin'. since you
are using 2002, an easy way to do this is to rename all mdw files on your
computer. Access 2002 will create a new pristine mdw on startup since it
can't find the mdw that is set as its default.

If you are leary of trying my advice, just backup all mdw and mdb files on
your computer. Try what I suggested and see if it works.

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

You don't want to rename the mdb files. Every session of Access uses a
workgroup file (.mdw extension). Even unsecured files use one - it normally
uses system.mdw and silently logs you in as a user called 'Admin'.

In your case you are joined by default to some mdw file that has a password
set for the Admin user - this is what causes the username/password dialog to
show up.

You need to rejoin a mdw that has no password set for 'Admin'. since you
are using 2002, an easy way to do this is to rename all mdw files on your
computer. Access 2002 will create a new pristine mdw on startup since it
can't find the mdw that is set as its default.

If you are leary of trying my advice, just backup all mdw and mdb files on
your computer. Try what I suggested and see if it works.

We're kinda back to square one. The only Access files generated by
the program I mentioned above are .MDB files; There are no other files
shown.

One Touch.mdb (1420KB)
One Touch_Blank.mdb (1400KB)

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

The mdw file(s) that Joan referred to might be what's causing Access to
prompt for a password. By re-naming them all you'll force Access to create
a new ("clean") one on launch to use as its default. By default Access
would use "system.mdw" to start up (it will always need an mdw of some
description in order to be able to start up).

HTH - Keith.
www.keithwilby.com

There are no .mdw file being generated by the program. The files are
contained in the DATA folder of the 'One Touch' directory and are
Access files. There are no other files in the DATA folder.

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

Where are you looking for the MDW files? They will not usually be in the
same folder as the MDB file(s). Look everywhere on the hard drive,
especially in your System32 folder.

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

Where are you looking for the MDW files? They will not usually be in the
same folder as the MDB file(s). Look everywhere on the hard drive,
especially in your System32 folder.

I've done a 'Search' and it didn't turn up any MDW files, I've also
looked in the System32 Folder. As I said in my original post, other
than the original install of Access I've never used it.

 

[jacksonmacd]

I've done a 'Search' and it didn't turn up any MDW files, I've also
looked in the System32 Folder. As I said in my original post, other
than the original install of Access I've never used it.

If you open RegEdit, and search for "systemdb" in the CurrentUser
hive, it should find the name of the currently-defined default
workgroup file. That's the one that Access is using when you don't
explicitly specify a different file upon launching Access, and should
be renamed (Using Windows Explorer!!!) to follow Joan's advice.

 

[Joan Wild]

You cannot install Access and have no mdw file. One named system.mdw gets
installed on your computer when you install Access - it won't start without
it.

Be sure you search in all folders (including hidden ones).

 

[Chris Mills]

You need to rejoin a mdw that has no password set for 'Admin'. since you

are using 2002, an easy way to do this is to rename all mdw files on your
computer. Access 2002 will create a new pristine mdw on startup since it
can't find the mdw that is set as its default.

Since E. seems to still be having trouble with this, I tested Joan's advice
with A2002. She is correct, as usual.

One minor point, is that A2002 will not create a new mdw merely by starting
Access, but it will if you create or open a database (ie actually use it!).
This is such a minor point, that even I could think to try it.

I believe I have a standard-install US version A2002 (no directory mods). The
file was created in:
C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Access
alrighty...in Win98! anyway it can be found by Joan's method and a Windows
File Search.

HTH
Chris

P.S. I am sending a bill to Joan for all the rogue mdw's I never knew about on
my system, and she made me change <g>

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

Since E. seems to still be having trouble with this, I tested Joan's advice
with A2002. She is correct, as usual.

One minor point, is that A2002 will not create a new mdw merely by starting
Access, but it will if you create or open a database (ie actually use it!).
This is such a minor point, that even I could think to try it.

I believe I have a standard-install US version A2002 (no directory mods). The
file was created in:
C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Access
alrighty...in Win98! anyway it can be found by Joan's method and a Windows
File Search.

HTH
Chris

P.S. I am sending a bill to Joan for all the rogue mdw's I never knew about on
my system, and she made me change <g>

I appreciate all of the advice, but a complete & thorough search has
not highlighted a single MDW file on my computer. The only files are
the 2 MDB files created as an Access file by my 3rd party software.
There are no registry entries referencing any MDW files, either.

 

[Joan Wild]

Do you actually have Access installed on your computer?

Can you open Access and create a new blank mdb file?

 

[Rick Brandt]

I appreciate all of the advice, but a complete & thorough search has
not highlighted a single MDW file on my computer. The only files are
the 2 MDB files created as an Access file by my 3rd party software.
There are no registry entries referencing any MDW files, either.

My guess is that you are incorrect. Did you tell the search to include hidden
and system folders?

Do you have administrator rights on the system?

Do you have file extensions beign displayed? Having them hidden wouldn't fool
the search, but it could add to your confusion and it's a stupid option to have
them hidden anyway.

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

Do you actually have Access installed on your computer?

Can you open Access and create a new blank mdb file?

I've already said that Access is fully installed. I have not tried to
create a 'new' blank mdb file, but I will now.

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

My guess is that you are incorrect. Did you tell the search to include hidden
and system folders?

I no files 'hidden'.

Do you have administrator rights on the system?

Yes, I am the only user.

Do you have file extensions beign displayed? Having them hidden wouldn't fool
the search, but it could add to your confusion and it's a stupid option to have
them hidden anyway.

As I stated, I always use the option to show all files. I am also not
a new computer user, but I have never used Access before and wouldn't
be now if the third party software I just installed hadn't 'created'
its data files in Access.

 

[Joan Wild]

Once you've created a new mdb, close Access and search again for *.mdw
files.

It isn't possible to install Access and have no mdw file - it requires one
in order to use Access.

 

[Chris Mills]

On re-reading the thread, I don't see any evidence what type of password this
is.

Are you asked for a Name and Password, or only a Password? What exactly
does the logon screen text say?

What exactly is the (third-party) program you are running? I mean, is the
"main program" an mdb/mde, and does it have a command-line given with the
product? Is the main program an "exe" or something (Access mdb data files can
be used by a lot more programming languages than Access)

Did the product say it was to be run under Access? Did it have instructions
how to implement it, or did the CD come with a "setup"? If the CD did not come
with Access on it ("Runtime Access"), what version of Access do you know it is
supposed to run with?

Have you EVER inadvertently opened one of the mdb's in Word?

There's a lot of people racking their brains trying to imagine what you may
not have told us. None of my suggestions (here) contradict the idea of finding
at least one mdw(security file) with your Access installation. If indeed it
is an Access installation as against something else which just uses some mdb
files. List the main program, how it is described you should start it, or if
it came on CD list all the files/folders on the CD (perhaps, since we aren't
familiar with it).

There's little doubt, that there is either something you dont know about, or
something you've been unable to tell us. And we can only guess what it might
be.

Like: though you say you are familiar with Windows, sometimes a File!Search
does not default to the root directory, or does not search other disks beyond
C: drive, etc. Since your feedback does not seem to make sense, please forgive
all wild-card suggestions (not meaning Joan Wild <g>)

Chris

 

[Chris Mills]

I have not tried to create a 'new' blank mdb file, but I will now.

and what is the point of posting what you WILL do, when but for a few hours
you could post what you HAVE DONE?